Tennant, Charles, & Co Ltd

Sectors:

  • Chemical production Basic chemicals production
  • Extraction Sulphur extraction

Notes:

Traced origins to Charles Tennant, 1768-1838, who in 1788 established a business producing bleaches for the textile industry. 1799 perfected production of bleaching powder and established St Rollox Chemical Works at Glasgow in order to produce it. Soon also produced sulphuric acid and other basic chemicals. By 1820s largest alkali works in UK. Business carried forward by his son and grandson and from 1815 known as Charles Tennant & Co. 1811 established Tennant, Knox & Co in London, from 1815 known as C Tennant & Co, bleaching powder manufacturers. Established works at Manchester in 1820s and also major works at Hebburn in 1860s. c1830 established a sales office at Liverpool, later known as Tennants & Co and incorporated in 1913 as Tennants (Lancashire) Ltd. Incorporated 1872. Developed a wide range of associated interests including sulphur mines in Sicily and Tharsis Sulphur & Copper Co Ltd operating in Spain. Tennant family also had many business interests unrelated to their chemical business. 1891 merged with others to form United Alkali Co Ltd. Thereafter the Tennant family remained influential in a wide range of Scottish business sectors

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